TV
A grave incident has emerged from Gopalpur Beach in Ganjam district, where a young woman has been gangraped. This distressing case involves the alleged physical assault by three of the ten suspected persons. At least four minors are among the ten accused, the Superintendent of Police (SP)-Berhampur Saravana Vivek M said in a presser on Tuesday.
Also Read: Raped by father, teen attempts suicide in Odisha's Ganjam
In the press conference, the SP stated, “Among the ten accused persons, three individuals are believed to have committed the gangrape.” The police have detained all ten individuals for questioning as part of their rigorous investigation into the matter.
Adding complexity to the proceedings is the fact that four of the accused are minors. This situation presents significant legal challenges and reflections on the societal implications concerning juvenile involvement in such severe offences, the SP remarked.
“Ten accused persons forcibly took a young woman (20-year-old) to a secluded place nearby and three adults of them raped her there by overpowering her male friend. The seven others helped the three in committing the crime,” Berhampur SP expressed.
“The rape survivor was released by the accused at around 10.00 PM at night and she lodged an FIR with Gopalpur Police at around 11.00 PM. Swinging into action, the police IIC and his team reached the spot and detained seven suspects for interrogation,” the SP said.
A case of both sexual offense and extortion!
“It seems to be a case of both sexual offense and extortion. Pramod Nayak from a village under Purushottampur police limits is the key accused in the case. Two others are Baburam Dalai, who hails from Burupada under Hinjili police limits, and Kunal Pradhan, who hails from a village under Pattapur-Belagarh police limits in the district,” the SP further said.
The accused had extorted some money from the young woman in cash and also through UPI transaction. Police are probing to ascertain the motive behind the crime, the SP added.
Meanwhile, taking to his X handle, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik wrote, “The news of a gangrape at Gopalpur Beach, a major tourist destination in Odisha, is extremely sensitive and has disturbed everyone. I strongly condemn the incident. It has raised questions about the safety of women at tourist sites. The government must remain vigilant to curb the increasing atrocities against women every day. The government should take strict measures to ensure the safety and security of women in the State.”
Similarly, expressing her deep concern, Deputy CM Pravati Parida said, “I had a discussion in this regard with the Berhampur SP. Instructions have been given to take necessary steps so that the Gopalpur incident does not recur in the future.”
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) intervened in the gangrape case at Gopalpur Beach. Expressing deep concern, the NCW has taken suo motu cognizance of the incident and directed the Director General of Police (DGP)-Odisha to take strict action.
The Commission has demanded immediate arrest of all accused involved in the crime. It has also instructed that the victim receive justice within a stipulated timeframe, along with free medical care, mental health support, and legal compensation as per the law.
NCW has asked Odisha Police to submit an action-taken report within three days.
